Shows
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiThe Shooting of Renee Good, Venezuela and Trump on Real Talk with Colin & MichelleWelcome to Real Talk — I’m Michelle Budiwski, and with me is Colin Sundaynight. We’re thrilled to be back together again for our original radio show airing Sunday nights at 7 pm EST on Amherst Island Radio — reunions like this remind us why we started Real Talk in the first place: raw, unfiltered, heartfelt conversations about the world we’re living in.
Today’s episode was originally broadcast on January 11, 2026, but was recorded just days earlier on January 7 — only **hours after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal ICE agent in Minneapolis. This event has sinc...
2026-01-2058 minReal Talk with Michelle BudiwskiCommunity Policing & Fear-Based Politics with Dr. Chris Schneider - REAL TALK – Episode 25-12
REAL TALK – Episode 25-12
Community Policing & Fear-Based Politics with Dr. Chris Schneider
I was genuinely honoured to sit down with Dr. Chris Schneider of Brandon University — a leading sociologist, acclaimed author, and expert on policing and public perception. His depth of knowledge and decades of research have shaped how we understand community policing, accountability, and the role of fear in modern politics.
This conversation was eye-opening for me. I learned so much — not just about policing, but about how deeply fear-based narratives influence our communities, our policies, and even our votes.
This episode runs just under an hour, and trust me, you’l...
2025-10-2758 minReal Talk with Michelle BudiwskiManitoba's Bill 48 - Real Talk Episode 25-11REAL TALK Episode 25-11 | October 19, 2025
Twenty-five years ago today, I woke up in a hospital after a suicide attempt and began detoxing from the narcotics and opioids that were killing me. I’ve been drug-free ever since.
That hospital stay saved my life — because they had the capacity, staff, and time to keep me safe until I was no longer a danger to myself. Sadly, in 2025, that same level of care and support just doesn’t exist.
In this episode, I share my story and talk about why I support Manitoba’s proposed Bill 48...
2025-10-2026 minReal Talk with Michelle BudiwskiEnough is Enough - Real Talk Episode 25-10
Political violence. Open bigotry. Racism. Hate.
Lies from leaders. Silence from those elected to protect us.
People in our own communities living in fear.
It’s tempting to turn away—to bury our heads, to hope it’ll pass.
But silence has never stopped hate.
It didn’t work in history, and it won’t work now.
The truth is: the loudest voices of division don’t speak for the majority.
They’re a scared, manipulated minority.
Most of us want peace. Compassion. Inclusion. Unity.
In this powerful, vulnerable episode, I’m speaking from the heart about why enough is enough—why we must...
2025-10-0113 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiReal Talk Opposing Views Episode 1 - A Conversation with TimWelcome to Real Talk — Opposing Views, the show where I invite people who disagree with me to sit down, speak plainly, and be heard. I’m Michelle Budiwski, and this is Episode One: A Conversation with Tim.
On September 20th, we streamed this conversation live — and what you’re about to hear is that full, unedited recording.
Here’s the backstory: Tim was banned from my Facebook page for repeated abusive and bigoted language. He wasn’t happy about that. In fact, he was so upset he followed me over to Instagram and tagged my personal pro...
2025-09-211h 38Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiReal Talk Episode 25-9 - Bonnie-Lynn Mills for BSD TrusteeOn October 16, 2025 the City of Brandon will choose its newest Trustee for the Brandon School Division. Too often school board elections are ignored with some of the poorest voter turnout amongst all elections in Canada and yet these are the people who directly impact the lives and education of our most vulnerable sector, our children.
School boards across Canada have been under attack in the pas few years - with protests, threats, and even internal members demanding they reject Truth and Reconciliation, or equity programs (Mountainview) or governments and parent groups demand control over library content and...
2025-09-1833 minReal Talk with Michelle BudiwskiReal Talk Ep 25-8 - Laura Armitage for BSD TrusteeOn October 16, 2025 the City of Brandon will choose its newest Trustee for the Brandon School Division. Too often school board elections are ignored with some of the poorest voter turnout amongst all elections in Canada and yet these are the people who directly impact the lives and education of our most vulnerable sector, our children.
School boards across Canada have been under attack in the pas few years - with protests, threats, and even internal members demanding they reject Truth and Reconciliation, or equity programs (Mountainview) or governments and parent groups demand control over library c...
2025-09-1627 minReal Talk with Michelle BudiwskiREAL TALK - Episode 25-7 Canadian Civics 101 A non partisan look at how government is formedPolitics shouldn't just be a conversation during elections. Politics and governments impact absolutely every aspect of our lives in some way and we need to understand how they work, how they are formed and what role we play in our government at every level.
For this non-partisan discussion on Canadian politics, parties and the responsibilities of voters, I am joined by Chris Hunt - an expert in all things Canadian politics.
We aren't talking about candidates or every discussing who to vote for when.
This is a discussion that all Canadians need to...
2025-09-0236 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiPC Party of Manitoba Where are the moderatesOn Aug 22, Brandon Sun columnist Deveryn Ross wrote: “Social media is a window into the character of a candidate...” 👀
Today, I sat down with Ted Dzogan, PC Party member (and former rival to Grant Jackson for the Sprucewoods nomination), for a raw conversation about how we got here: a by-election in what was supposed to be a PC stronghold.
Why does it matter? Because their current candidate, Colleen Robbins, had over 3,000 deleted tweets resurface—showing a troubling record of controversial posts: from praising residential schools to spreading disinformation. Then, right before the campaign, her social media was scrubbed.
❓ Who knew?
❓ Who’s respons...
2025-08-241h 07
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiRay for SprucewooodsSprucewoods has never elected anyone but a Conservative. Around here, it’s known as a “dead dog” riding — meaning the party could run a sign on a corpse and still win. And because they’ve never had to fight for your vote, we’ve often been ignored.
Even with a PC MLA in a PC majority government, we saw little investment in health care, infrastructure, or economic development.
But since 2023, that’s changed. Under Wab Kinew rural Manitoba has seen more investment, attention, and hard work from the Manitoba NDP than in the previous seven years combined.
That speaks volumes. And as someone...
2025-08-1216 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiReal Talk Episode 25-6: A Seven-Month Journey to Cancer-FreeFrom the moment a colonoscopy revealed my rectal tumor to the day surgeons removed it—leaving me cancer-free and living with a permanent ostomy—exactly 7 months and 9 days passed.
At first glance, that timeline might sound long. “Diagnosed in August, surgery in March?” It’s easy to jump to frustration or blame Manitoba’s health system.
But let me be clear: I wasn’t just waiting. I was preparing. My care team wasn’t idle—they were working with precision, intention, and compassion.
Every step was deliberate. Every delay had purpose. And the care I received? Nothing short of exceptional.
To my doctors, sur...
2025-08-0721 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiButterfly Dreams - Poetry of Hope and Recovery - Chapter 2 Pain and ShameIn 2020 I released my first book - Butterfly Dreams - Poetry of Hope and Recovery - an autobiographical journey through my own battle with mental illness, addiction and recovery.
In honor of Borderline Personality Awareness Month this May, I am releasing my book for free, one chapter at a time to help raise awareness for BPD and those still fighting their own battles.
Where there is breath, there is hope.
***Trigger Warning***
This book contains references to child sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, addiction, self harm and suicide. Please take precautions and seek help if you feel mentally or...
2025-05-1428 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiButterfly Dreams Poetry of Hope and Recovery Chapter 1 - The BeginningIn 2020 I released my first book - Butterfly Dreams - Poetry of Hope and Recovery - an autobiographical journey through my own battle with mental illness, addiction and recovery.
In honor of Borderline Personality Awareness Month this May, I am releasing my book for free, one chapter at a time to help raise awareness for BPD and those still fighting their own battles.
Where there is breath, there is hope.
2025-05-0220 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiHomeschooling in Manitoba - Real Talk Episode 25-5Our family has been homeschooling here in Manitoba since 2020 - not for political or religious reasons but because we started during covid and found that it just worked for us. Now there is no turning back!
The kids were in Kindergarten, grade 3 and grade 9 when Covid happened and chose not to return to the public school system. Now, they are working on finishing Grade 5, 8 and one just finished their 3rd year in University on the Dean's list!
How do we do it? Why do we do it? What's the transition from homeschooling highschool to University like?
Tune in and find...
2025-05-0246 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiPoop Talk - Episode 25-4On this week's episode of Real Talk, we're talking 💩 — or more accurately, why so many people don’t want to talk about it.
This week, I’m joined by the amazing Randy Daley in Dauphin, Manitoba. Randy has been living with a permanent colostomy for 4 years due to Crohn’s and Colitis, and he’s been an incredible mentor and support to me—especially leading up to my own surgery to remove stage 3 cancer, which left me with an ostomy too.
If you or someone you love is facing ostomy surgery, already living with one, or just want to be a better ally a...
2025-04-171h 06
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiQuentin Robinson for Brandon Souris, Real Talk Ep 25-3When was the last time you heard a political candidate speak for 30 straight minutes without slamming, blaming, or even mentioning the opposition? Not once.
When was the last time a candidate spoke—really spoke—about feeling a genuine duty to step up and serve, using their knowledge and lived experiences to support their community?
If your answer is “never,” well… buckle up. Because today is the day that changes.
On this episode of REAL TALK, I’m joined by Quentin Robinson, the NDP candidate running in the upcoming federal election for the Manitoba riding of Brandon–Souris.
I first met Quentin back i...
2025-04-1031 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiWeekly Round Up with Colin and Michelle, Real Talk Ep.25-2While our live stream Weekly Round Up with Colin and Michelle had some technical difficulties (OK - I had some difficulties), it didn't stop Colin Sundaynight and I from jumping on a call and recording our conversation to share with you!
It wasn't live but it is raw, unedited and as usual, entertaining!
From what I would do if I had a time machine, DR. Oz being placed in charge of the US Medicare, why Pollievre wasn't prepared for Carney Oprah Winfrey, Don Cherry and Ed the Sock this week's round up had a little bit of everything!
These are...
2025-04-0953 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiGuided meditation for motherhood 30 minuteBy definition, mothers, mother. We take care of everyone and often forget to take care of ourselves.
This 30 minute guided meditation with help you reset, recharge and keep on going with new energy and inner peace.
You deserve 30 minutes to yourself. Find a comfortable seat and let me guide you!
2025-03-3031 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiShut your ButWe all have a voice inside of our heads, you know the one... sometimes it encourages us to expand our experiences, take chances and live with pure joy.
Unfortunately it also (far too often) stops us in our tracks with the BUTs... but what if, but what about?
BUT BUT BUT It's time to shut your BUT and take control of your life, living it to the fullest!
Recorded in 2020!!!
2025-03-3027 min
Real Talk with Michelle Budiwski23 minute Guided meditation for self loveThe relationships we have with others are directly impacted by our relationship with ourselves. We cannot begin to truly love others until we love ourselves. Sit back, relax and let me guide you into a space of self love and acceptance.
2025-03-3023 min
Real Talk with Michelle Budiwski20 years of HopeOriginally recorded on October 19, 2020 as Michelle celebrates twenty years free of opioids and narcotics, she shares her message of hope for those struggling with metal health and addiction.
2025-03-3030 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiNavigating the Trade War with Grace - real talk Episode 25-1The Canada-US trade war is heating up, and many of us are rethinking where we spend our money. Shopping local, buying Canadian, and avoiding certain US-based corporations sounds great in theory—but let’s be real, no one is going to get it 100% right. And that’s okay.
In this episode of REAL TALK, we’re diving into:
- How to shift our buying habits without guilt or pressure.
- Why progress matters more than perfection—because shaming people doesn’t help.
- The difference between ethical boycotts and harmful hostility—protesting Elon Musk is one thing, but vandalizing Teslas or attacking p...
2025-03-3022 min
Real Talk with Michelle BudiwskiRealTalk with Colin and Michelle on Amherst Island radioAmherst Island Radio welcomed me back for a guest appearance on REAL TALK with Colin Kennedy! Visit them at www.cjai.ca
2025-03-2858 min